Here is the official thread to discuss what scales you wish Bachmann would get the license to produce Thomas & Friends products in.
I think it would be nice if Bachmann were to get the license to produce Thomas & Friends products in O scale, and the Standard Gauge engines in N scale.
Maybe if we do get O Scale, we could eventually get another Narrow Gauge range in On30 Scale. Right now, the HO Narrow Gauge range only just started.
What do you think?
Honestly, I think it's best for Bachmann to focus on expanding their existing markets, I think Bachmann is fine where it's at.
I know this isn't possible, but if they do a new scale.
How about this?
Arlesdale??
(http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/ttte/images/c/c7/Sodor%27sLegendoftheLostTreasurePromo4.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150603083914)
I'm not sure what scaling it would be though. I think Z scale.
Quote from: Nykrivas on November 09, 2015, 06:29:37 PM
Honestly, I don't really care about the O scale market. It's best for Bachmann to focus on expanding their existing markets, I think Bachmann is fine where it's at.
I know this isn't possible, but if they do a new scale.
How about this?
Arlesdale??
(http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/ttte/images/c/c7/Sodor%27sLegendoftheLostTreasurePromo4.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150603083914)
I'm not sure what scaling it would be though. I think Z scale.
So if is Z Scale, is it smaller or bigger than what? Please use HO and G Gauge to describe it to me so I will understand the best then. Thank you in advanced.
Can you please stop quoting every post you reply to? Most of the time, it's unnecessary and just clogging up the forum.
Quote from: Nykrivas on November 09, 2015, 06:57:41 PM
Can you please stop quoting every post you reply to? Most of the time, it's unnecessary and just clogging up the forum.
OK, sorry. I only quote other readers know which person I am particularly talking too.
Z scale would be interesting for the small railway.
While I don't see the Arlesdale engines happening anytime soon or narrow gauge engines in On30, I can definitely see an N scale range happening in the future. An O gauge range wouldn't be a bad idea either, but Lionel still has the rights for making Thomas in O gauge as far as I'm aware, whereas with Tomix it's really hard to tell at this point since their range is inactive.
If Bachmann obtained the rights to produce Standard Gauge in N scale, maybe the engines can have metal bodies, especially the smaller ones like Thomas and Percy. It would be like the Narrow Gauge engines. I can definitely see Henry, Gordon, and Spencer being made in N scale.
Tomix's range is not only inactive, for the time being at least anyway, it appears to have been retired completely - if not discontinued for at least a good chunk of the foreseeable future.
And Z guage is even smaller than N gauge, to give you some context there Jacob, I believe the track width of Z gauge is around 3mm, and the track gauge of N scale to be around 9mm, so that's a bit of context as to how small they are. Whilst I'd be in favour of an arlesdale Z gauge range, I don't see it happening for a while yet, at least until those characters have much more appearances in the TVS and BACHMANN's lineup of the Narrow Gauge engines is much further underway, as for O gauge I believe there is potential there to produce Standard Gauge Thomas models, but I think the issue of Lionel would probably need to be subdued first, Honestly, I can imagine though a way to get around that would be to make the Narrow Gauge engines in G gauge, essentially G gauge models but they'd run on O scale track, similar to what BACHMANN are currently doing with their HO scale Skarloey, it's an HO scale engine that runs on N gauge track, and on the suggestion about the Arlesdale engines, with a combination like this, G gauge Arlesdale engines would roughly be about HO scale size methinks, perhaps that could be made into a range of it's own as well. I know I'm getting way too far ahead of myself, but these are just some wild theories. Ultimately though if BACHMANN is to have a new scale of Standard Gauge engines, I'd choose N gauge as perhaps their best starting point
And on an unrelated note, don't be nervous about this thread, Trainfan97. I think it was an excellent idea given all the recent discussion of this topic
~Alex :)
If Bachmann does get the rights to produce N scale, which I hope won't be too far into the future, hopefully they would start off with three engines like HO scale, being Thomas, Percy, and James. The first rolling stock can be Annie and Clarabel, and Troublesome Trucks #1 and #2.
Quote from: TrainFan97 on November 10, 2015, 01:34:32 AM
If Bachmann does get the rights to produce N scale, which I hope won't be too far into the future, hopefully they would start off with three engines like HO scale, being Thomas, Percy, and James. The first rolling stock can be Annie and Clarabel, and Troublesome Trucks #1 and #2.
I'd suggest they start off with Thomas and Percy as the first 2 engines (like they did in Large Scale), with Troublesome Trucks #1 and #2 in the first year, Annie and Clarabel and also a brakevan, with James and some other passenger or possibly even goods stock following in the year after. But I do think you have a good suggestion :)
~Alex
Quote from: AJW98Productions on November 09, 2015, 11:43:56 PM
Tomix's range is not only inactive, for the time being at least anyway, it appears to have been retired completely - if not discontinued for at least a good chunk of the foreseeable future.
And Z guage is even smaller than N gauge, to give you some context there Jacob, I believe the track width of Z gauge is around 3mm, and the track gauge of N scale to be around 9mm, so that's a bit of context as to how small they are. Whilst I'd be in favour of an arlesdale Z gauge range, I don't see it happening for a while yet, at least until those characters have much more appearances in the TVS and BACHMANN's lineup of the Narrow Gauge engines is much further underway, as for O gauge I believe there is potential there to produce Standard Gauge Thomas models, but I think the issue of Lionel would probably need to be subdued first, Honestly, I can imagine though a way to get around that would be to make the Narrow Gauge engines in G gauge, essentially G gauge models but they'd run on HO scale track, similar to what BACHMANN are currently doing with their HO scale Skarloey, it's an HO scale engine that runs on G gauge track, and on the suggestion about the Arlesdale engines, with a combination like this, G gauge Arlesdale engines would roughly be about HO scale size methinks, perhaps that could be made into a range of it's own as well. I know I'm getting way too far ahead of myself, but these are just some wild theories. Ultimately though if BACHMANN is to have a new scale of Standard Gauge engines, I'd choose N gauge as perhaps their best starting point
And on an unrelated note, don't be nervous about this thread, Trainfan97. I think it was an excellent idea given all the recent discussion of this topic
~Alex :)
OK, thanks Alex. Does that mean Z Gauge is slightly bigger than N Gauge?
Jacob, Z gauge has a track width of about 3 millimetres, N gauge has a track width of 9 milimetres, to put it rather bluntly, N gauge track is 6 milimetres larger than Z gauge. :)
~Alex
Quote from: AJW98Productions on November 10, 2015, 02:48:59 AM
Jacob, Z gauge has a track width of about 3 millimetres, N gauge has a track width of 9 milimetres, to put it rather bluntly, N gauge track is 6 milimetres larger than Z gauge. :)
~Alex
OK, but I find N Gauge too small and fiddly so Z Gauge is even worse, especially for children. N Gauge and Z Gauge are both silly Gauges to make a Thomas & Friends Model Railway range out of then. Neither of them are child friendly.
Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 10, 2015, 03:04:27 AM
OK, but I find N Gauge too small and fiddly so Z Gauge is even worse, especially for children. N Gauge and Z Gauge are both silly Gauges to make a Thomas & Friends Model Railway range out of then. Neither of them are child friendly.
I agree that the idea of doing the small railway in Z scale is too small (or in this case HOz), but that's only one of only many flaws I see with the odds with a small railway range. Though, I think an N scale range would be just fine if Tomix pulled it off while making decent sales in the process. N scale is a pretty popular size from what I've seen at shows and hobby stores too, both for adults and kids. I even got my first N scale train set as a kid and me and my dad built an N scale layout together. I still have my models, buildings, and mountain saved from that layout. Even some of my friends who used to be in the hobby when they were kids collected N scale too and still have their stuff saved.
Quote from: Chaz on November 10, 2015, 04:08:34 AM
Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 10, 2015, 03:04:27 AM
OK, but I find N Gauge too small and fiddly so Z Gauge is even worse, especially for children. N Gauge and Z Gauge are both silly Gauges to make a Thomas & Friends Model Railway range out of then. Neither of them are child friendly.
I agree that the idea of doing the small railway in Z scale is too small (or in this case HOz), but that's only one of only many flaws I see with the odds with a small railway range. Though, I think an N scale range would be just fine if Tomix pulled it off while making decent sales in the process. N scale is a pretty popular size from what I've seen at shows and hobby stores too, both for adults and kids. I even got my first N scale train set as a kid and me and my dad built an N scale layout together. I still have my models, buildings, and mountain saved from that layout. Even some of my friends who used to be in the hobby when they were kids collected N scale too and still have their stuff saved.
I am 19 years of age, and I can't get used to N Gauge, because I am scared about breaking the delicate parts off the models, and personally I find it difficult to see them too as they are so small. I would never use a scale that is smaller than HO Gauge.
Quote from: Chaz on November 09, 2015, 08:09:52 PM
While I don't see the Arlesdale engines happening anytime soon or narrow gauge engines in On30, I can definitely see an N scale range happening in the future. An O gauge range wouldn't be a bad idea either, but Lionel still has the rights for making Thomas in O gauge as far as I'm aware, whereas with Tomix it's really hard to tell at this point since their range is inactive.
im not sure chaz but you can clarify if im wrong but i think lionel stopped the thomas range after diesel and the ironworks twins so bachmann could potentially obtain the o gauge line for the futre
For N scale, should the engines get metal bodies for added weight?
Quote from: TrainFan97 on November 10, 2015, 09:04:12 PM
For N scale, should the engines get metal bodies for added weight?
I think it's a good idea, but I'm not entirely sure...did the Tomix Thomas engines have metal bodies? Because from memory they can haul impressive sized trains (seen them in action on YouTube), and I think they have plastic bodies but I'm not entirely sure... ???
~Alex
Quote from: AJW98Productions on November 10, 2015, 11:09:13 PM
I think it's a good idea, but I'm not entirely sure...did the Tomix Thomas engines have metal bodies? Because from memory they can haul impressive sized trains (seen them in action on YouTube), and I think they have plastic bodies but I'm not entirely sure... ???
~Alex
All four of the Tomix engines have plastic bodies.
Quote from: shining time on November 10, 2015, 07:32:06 PM
im not sure chaz but you can clarify if im wrong but i think lionel stopped the thomas range after diesel and the ironworks twins so bachmann could potentially obtain the o gauge line for the futre
Arry and Bert were their last engines they introduced, but after that everything else they did afterwards has ranged to repaints/Lionchief products. Their range is still selling products from their range, but they haven't made any new products this year.
Quote from: Chaz on November 11, 2015, 12:55:47 AM
Quote from: AJW98Productions on November 10, 2015, 11:09:13 PM
I think it's a good idea, but I'm not entirely sure...did the Tomix Thomas engines have metal bodies? Because from memory they can haul impressive sized trains (seen them in action on YouTube), and I think they have plastic bodies but I'm not entirely sure... ???
~Alex
All four of the Tomix engines have plastic bodies.
Quote from: shining time on November 10, 2015, 07:32:06 PM
im not sure chaz but you can clarify if im wrong but i think lionel stopped the thomas range after diesel and the ironworks twins so bachmann could potentially obtain the o gauge line for the futre
Arry and Bert were their last engines they introduced, but after that everything else they did afterwards has ranged to repaints/Lionchief products. Their range is still selling products from their range, but they haven't made any new products this year.
Have you got all of the Tomix Thomas & Friends Locomotives then, Chaz?
Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 11, 2015, 03:56:48 PM
Quote from: Chaz on November 11, 2015, 12:55:47 AM
Quote from: AJW98Productions on November 10, 2015, 11:09:13 PM
I think it's a good idea, but I'm not entirely sure...did the Tomix Thomas engines have metal bodies? Because from memory they can haul impressive sized trains (seen them in action on YouTube), and I think they have plastic bodies but I'm not entirely sure... ???
~Alex
All four of the Tomix engines have plastic bodies.
Have you got all of the Tomix Thomas & Friends Locomotives then, Chaz?
I imagine so, I guess a plus for fans that already have the Tomix Thomas Engines would be that if BACHMANN made their own N Gauge range, they could be used side-by-side, I imagine the scaling would be close, and as always for fans that already have the existing Tomix Thomas Engines, comparisons could be made between the 2 ranges, I think it would be interesting, and I think Tomix stock next to an N gauge BACHMANN stock would look very nice, and fans who already have Tomix stock could jump on the bandwagon quickly, as they would have stock already, so if BACHMANN say, only released TT#1 and TT#2 to start off with, said collectors of former Tomix stock would have wagons to add to their trains early on etc.
Sorry if my thoughts seem a bit jumbled but I hope that
train of thought can be easily followed :) ;)
~Alex
Quote from: Jacob Wilson on November 11, 2015, 03:56:48 PM
Have you got all of the Tomix Thomas & Friends Locomotives then, Chaz?
Yes, I own all four engines and I own most of the rolling stock too. All of them are in storage and haven't been ran in a long time, but I might take them out at some point when the opportunity comes.
That's rather interesting Chaz. :) Which of the Tomix stock are you missing then? And if BACHMANN released Standard Gauge stock in N Gauge would you collect them, do you think?
~Alex
The only ones I'm missing are the trucks from starter set which are basically the trucks with logs and sand, which came out in Japan and I started the range with the Tomix Thomas set when it first came to the US.
And yes, I would definitely pick up Bachmann N Scale Thomas models if they were to happen. For me personally, an N scale range I'd be really excited for because I own a lot of N scale products and I would need to put a setup together or run the models over at the N scale club, which is right next to where my model railroad club is too conveniently.
Quote from: Chaz on November 12, 2015, 03:26:12 AM
The only ones I'm missing are the trucks from starter set which are basically the trucks with logs and sand, which came out in Japan and I started the range with the Tomix Thomas set when it first came to the US.
And yes, I would definitely pick up Bachmann N Scale Thomas models if they were to happen. For me personally, an N scale range I'd be really excited for because I own a lot of N scale products and I would need to put a setup together or run the models over at the N scale club, which is right next to where my model railroad club is too conveniently.
That sounds very interesting.
Do you think Bachmann will literally start producing Thomas and friends products in n scale?
I don't know. They obviously need the license first. It would be interesting.
I agree that I would want the Aralesdale engines.
^ Above 1 Reply - @Reply #28 By Akodenski: So if Bachmann where to produce the Aralesdale Engine's, Bachmann would have to produce them in N Gauge?